🔗 Share this article

Idrissa Gueye received a warm ovation from his Everton teammates after issuing an explanation for his extraordinary red card during the recent victory at Old Trafford.

Rare Situation in Premier League

Gueye became the initial Premier League player to be sent off for striking a fellow player in nearly two decades when he struck Michael Keane during the match. Everton's performance was remarkable as they played with 10 men for the majority of the game, including added time, to achieve David Moyes' initial victory at Old Trafford as a visiting manager in 18 attempts.

'I want to apologise first to Michael Keane,' he wrote on his accounts. 'I accept complete responsibility for my actions.'

Dressing Room Response

Gueye was unable to secure an chance to speak with Moyes or his colleagues at half-time. Afterwards, with the visitors' locker room celebrating after the 1-0 win, the 36-year-old requested to address the entire group and the defender specifically.

• He expressed regret to the defender for striking him across the face
• The intense 13th-minute confrontation occurred after a poor distribution in his own penalty area
• He also said sorry to the squad for putting them with a monumental task
• Gueye's words were positively accepted by the players

Potential Consequences

Gueye may yet be punished by Everton despite the manager's admission that he likes his team members fighting with each other. Moyes has a regular punishment process for dismissals and cautions, including financial penalties, which is likely to be applied in Gueye's case.

Ban and National Team Duty

The Merseyside club could be without their influential player until the new year. Gueye will serve a three-match ban against Newcastle United, AFC Bournemouth and Forest but might be selected for Africa Cup of Nations responsibilities by Senegal before he becomes eligible to play against the Blues on mid-December.

'Passions can sometimes overflow,' he added. 'But nothing justifies such behaviour.'

Opposition Perspective

Meanwhile, the Manchester United defender claimed his team of showing no urgency in Monday's defeat, which ended their unbeaten run at five games.

• 'The Premier League is not for the weak,' stated the Dutch defender
• 'We lacked that urgency to score goals,'
• 'When facing sides like Everton,' who drop back it's difficult

United head to Crystal Palace for Sunday's lunchtime start. 'The next game is really important now,' said the defender. 'We must recover strongly from this display.'